LEARN Leadership Team

Marybeth Jones is responsible for the management and oversight of all academic programs. She manages business operations, curriculum development, teacher support and evaluation, and resource and personnel allocation and deployment. Marybeth has more than 25 years of successful experience in education including teaching both children and adults and operating large-scale supplemental education programs. She has conducted quality audits for academic improvement programs across the US and has developed and executed Improvement Plans to ensure quality control. Ms. Jones has presented workshops at the Illinois School Age Conference and the National AfterSchool Association’s National Conference. She has served on a Local School Council for Chicago Public Schools. Ms. Jones has a BS in Education from Illinois State University and an MS in Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Grand Canyon University.

Dan Campbell oversees schools and programs for children with special needs at LEARN Behavioral in California. Dan founded Beach Cities Learning Center in 2009 after working in public education for 20 years. He brings to the company more than 30 years of experience in education. Dan spent 15 years with the Torrance Unified School District as a Teacher, coach, and Program Specialist in charge of high school Special Education. Dan holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of California Santa Barbara and Masters in Education Degrees from Azusa Pacific University.”

Lara LaZear brings more than 20 years of K-12 special education experience to Light Street. As Executive Director of Special Education and Quality Services, Lara oversees Light Street’s clinical teams, all special education services and related programs, business development, and client satisfaction for every aspect of Light Street’s vast suite of services. Lara has worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist in both Arizona and California, provided early intervention services, and is a member of ASHA, ArSHA, and CSHA. As the leader of the Light Street team, Lara ensures that every school, district, and educational partner not only remains highly satisfied with Light Street’s services, but that Light Street’s team of highly qualified special education service providers continues to grow to meet our client’s fast-changing needs.

Rick Weathers is currently serving as the Senior Executive Director of Behavioral Programs for Learn Academy. He was the co-founder of Desert Choice Schools in 2006 and continues to support the operations and development of the Learn Academy Private Day School Programs in both Arizona and California. Rick holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Arts in Educational Psychology from Northern Arizona University. He is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and has over 25 years of experience in evaluating, treating, and programming for children with an array of disabilities. Over the years, his various roles in the private sector and public-school system afforded him the opportunity gain significant and relative experience in the areas of program development, service delivery, school finance, budget, facilities, and student transportation.

Karen Zeider is one of the Executive Directors for Desert Choice Schools, a private therapeutic day school serving special education students. Karen is an alum of both Arizona State University where she received her degree in Special Education and Grand Canyon University earning her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. Karen’s 20 years in special education reflects both public and private settings in which she developed and provided specialized programming, instruction, and professional development. Her desire to be an agent of change in children’s lives continues to be the driving force in her current role with Desert Choice Schools.

Kari Nahgahgwon is currently serving as an Executive Director for Desert Choice Schools. Kari is dually trained as a School Psychologist and as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst-D. She spent her undergrad and initial graduate studies at Western Michigan University, while later earning her Ph.D in School Psychology at the University of Arizona. She is passionate about building/supporting quality programs and providing quality care for students and families. She has provided clinical supports to students, families, and school districts across the nation, in various capacities, for over 20 years.
Kari balances work and life with time spent outdoors, quality time with friends and family, and supporting her teenage son with his school and athletic endeavors.

Don Scheeler is the President of Learn Academy, a division of Learn Behavioral. Don, has over 30 years of Finance, Human Resource, Operations and M & A experience. In 2012 Mr. Scheeler helped start Learn Behavioral ‘s special needs division which is now one of the largest providers of autism and behavioral health services in the country. Prior to Learn Behavioral, Don was General Manager with post-secondary start-up 2U. Additionally, he spent 15 years with the Sylvan/Catapult education family of companies. His last position with them was President and CEO of Progressus Therapy LLC. Don graduated from the University of Maryland with two business degrees and also received his Masters from The Johns Hopkins University. Don currently serves as a member on the board of Dream Big Baltimore, partnering with the Cherry Hill community and the University System of Maryland Foundation

Michael Maloney is the founder and CEO of LEARN Behavioral. Michael founded Learn It Systems, the predecessor to LEARN, in 2007 with a bold mission; to help all children succeed in school in life. Since inception, the organization has helped more than 100,000 children find success. Michael previously led the establishment of the Catapult Learning’s No Child Left Behind (NCLB) supplemental services programs in more than 50 school districts nationwide. Prior to his education work, Michael worked at the Smithsonian Institution where he steered the production of more than 150 educationally-focused recordings, including six Grammy Award nominations and three Grammy Award-winning recordings. Michael is passionate about education and lives in Baltimore, Maryland with his wife and three children. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Catholic University of America.